Novel enhanced modular dam system including bags holding liquid configurable in multiple spatial arrangements

ABSTRACT

Improved modular damming system takes the place of sand bags being used for erosion control, damming controlling of water run-off and other things, this is done by placing empty bags later filled from a water supply individually or in series in at least one configuration. Owing to ease of set-up and filling, the instant teachings allow for bags to be emptied and stored and easily transported to remote locations without the burdens of weight. Likewise, being able to drain and remove the bags of the present invention obviates the need for leaving them on site where they deteriorate and contribute to contamination of the environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of the U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/744,334 filed Apr. 5, 2006, by thepresent inventor and full Paris Convention priority rights are claimed,the same being expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improved systems used for constructing andsupporting dams. In particular, the present invention relates to a bagthat holds water and is configurable to create a set that can be stackedin horizontal or vertical rows for the purpose of a creating a dam forholding water including enhanced bags, couplers and devices forplugging.

2. Description of the Prior Art

While numerous designs and systems have been set forth to attempt toaddress the problem of creating a reliable, safe, and readilyreproducible structure to function as a dam for blocking water, thelongstanding need exists for a system that operates simply with highdegrees of efficiency.

Likewise, in the face of the most glaring omissions among the prior art,the need to absolutely protect against technical failures, the presentinventor has discovered that extant systems do not sufficiently addressthese concerns, prior to the advent of the instant teachings.

For example, no art has been uncovered which would provide a trulyportable system that fills and drains reliably without mechanicalchallenge.

Accordingly, offered for consideration is an improved bag that holdswater and is configurable to be stacked vertically and horizontally tocreate a damming system for holding water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, an improved modular dam system takes the place of sandbags being used for erosion control, damming and controlling of waterrun-off, this is done by placing empty bags later filled from a watersupply individually or in series in at least one configuration,depending on the particular application.

Owing to ease of set-up and filling, the instant teachings allow forbags to be emptied and stored and easily transported to remote locationswithout the burdens of weight. Use of the present system overcomeslongstanding needs, for example, in earthquake readiness kits.

Likewise, being able to drain and remove the bags of the presentinvention obviates the need for leaving them on site where theydeteriorate and contribute to contamination of the environment.Environmentally-friendly systems are lacking among known art.

According to a feature of the present invention, there is provided aprocess for generating an improved modular dam system, which comprises,in combination, providing at least a bag for holding liquid, having aflexible coupler hose assembly effective for being operatively linked toat least one of a liquid source and another bag, filling at least a bag,and assembling the at least a bag in a desired spatial arrangement,alone or in combination with other bags.

An improved bag for holding water configurable to create a bag system ofstackable horizontal or vertical rows effective for building a dam forholding water, which comprises in combination, a plurality ofpolypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheets laminate about a PVC coreforming a bladder, an adaptor/fill orifice system, a plurality ofindustrial reinforced seems, a coupler hose system complete witho-rings, push-pins, a bayonet fitting and standard water hose threadedfittings and reinforced closed housing assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To more fully understand the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention will be rendered by reference to a specificset of embodiments thereof as illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that these drawings depict only typical set of embodimentsof the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of itsscope, the invention as it is presently understood best mode for makingand using the same has been described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 provides a partial plan view showing an embodiment according tothe teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view likewise illustrating embodiments according to theteachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a segmented view of a plurality of apparatus assembled as asystem according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the product showing detail on adapter/fillorifice according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows detail on above-described orifice as depicted in FIG. 4,according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a flexible coupler hose according to the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 likewise demonstrates further detail in the hose adapter; and

FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the adapter portion as connectedaccording to the teaching of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present inventor has discovered that the novel enhanced modulardamming systems including bags holding liquid configurable in multiplespatial arrangements can be used to overcome longstanding problems inthe art, including transport, storage, removal and a host of relatedenvironmental considerations.

According to the instant teachings, subject bags can be constructed ofat least one material from the group of plastic, rubber, styrene,butadiene, rubber with nylon fabric, canvas, and/or other desiredmaterial. Artisans will understand that everything from linear lowdensity polyethylene (LLDP) for example (Polyflex III® brand isavailable form Polyplex, Inc. of Grand Prairie, Tex.) to extruded PTFE(Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif.).

According to embodiments of the teachings of the present disclosure,bags are constructed with an embossed and stippled exterior, which aredesigned to help the bags remain in place when stacked, among otherthings.

Shapes, colors sizes and interchangeable materials likewise will beknown to those of skill in the art, as will the use of alternate colorsand sizes to those embodiments specifically described herein. Forexample materials disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,200,076 and 5,040,919each of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to FIG. 1, polypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheet 1,heat laminated to the PVC (polyvinylchloride) form a bladder and outsidePVC skin combination for reinforcement. According to embodiments of theinstant teachings, prototypes have been tested and have reinforcementsupport able to stand pressures in excess of 70 ppi, as those skilled Ithe art readily understand.

Industrial reinforced seem 3, may be made of any known materials withwhich artisans would be comfortable for performing any of the functionslisted below. Expressly incorporated herein by reference, are U.S.Patent Publication Nos. US 2005/02600038; US 2004/0146359 and US2004/0047688.

Referring now also to FIG. 2, adaptor/fill orifice 2, is shown in adside view orientation whereby sheet 1, an industrially reinforced seemare accessible to users from a side area. Among the advantages of theinstant teachings, the ability to create a system and/or construction orassembly comprising vertically or horizontally stacked groups of bagswill become obvious to those skilled in the art reading the descriptionbelow in combination to the claims which are appended hereto.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, a product use view shows a plurality offlexible coupler hose elements 4, as attached through adaptor/fillorifices 2, whereby any number of bags may be stacked in orientations asillustrated or known to those skilled in the art. Artisans further willunderstand that bags built in various sizes, diameters and lengths withadaptor/fill orifices 2, of the present invention can be usedindividually or coupled together in series to create a berm or be usedin other known configurations for the damming of water.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of a series of bags coupled together inseries and places in tiers which can create a dam or a berm which may beeffective for use in erosion control.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, a product end view is shown with orificedetail. Sheet 1, is shown in relation to orifice 2, for which aninternal view is provided also in FIG. 5.

Referring also to FIG. 5, adaptor/fill orifice 2, effective to receivecoupler 4, as shown in FIG. 3, and in detail in FIG. 6. O-rings 5, areselectively places inside of adapter 2, whereby o-rings 5, cooperatesuch that compressing the o-rings acts as a spring-loaded lock. Push-pin6, opens hinge valve door when coupling end is inserted into orifice 2.In that fitting 7, cooperates with o-rings 5, such that coupler hose 4,thereby matingly engaged.

Referring also to FIG. 7, male aspect of bayonet fitting 17, matinglyengaged with female bayonet fitting 7, such that flexible coupler hose4, may be used to transmit liquid into an empty bag.

Coupler hose 4, is used to fill an empty bag by inserting it intoadapter/orifice 2, and turning it ¼ turn in order to lock the coupler 4,by its end into adaptor/fill orifice 2. Adaptor receives coupler plugsinto receiver that lugs can be inserted into and turned into receiverthereby locking the coupler in place and opening interior flap inadaptor. When coupler is attached to bags, it allow water to fill asmany bags as are coupled together. Water flows from one bag to the otherusing a coupling hose as conduit. Those skilled in the art understandthat components can be used individually or connected together inmultiples as to various sizes of applications.

Referring now also to FIG. 8, hose adaptor detail is shown as connectedstandard water hose threaded fitting 8, effectively locking and engagingflexible coupler hose 4, whereby liquid is transmitted throughadaptor/fill orifice 2, into any bag. The teachings of the presentdisclosure can likewise be used on flat areas, hillside contours, andother areas requiring different sizing and shaping of the bags. Thoseskilled in the art understand that hinged valve flap panel maybeconstructed as a vulcanized flap that stops in a closed position andcreates a leak proof valve when seated against the orifice that isattached to. A valve flap is opened when couplers attached to entryorifice bag and forces flap to open. To empty your series of bags, thecouplers inserted in end bag and water will empty using the same methodas filling the bags.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics that describedembodiments should be considered in all respects only as a illustrativeand not restrictive the scope of the present invention is thereforeindicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency ofthe claims are to be embraces within their scope.

1. A process for generating an improved modular dam system, whichcomprises, in combination: providing at least a bag for holding liquidhaving a flexible coupler hose assembly effective for being operativelylinked to at least one of a liquid source and another bag; filing atleast a nag; and assembling at least a bag in a desired spatialarrangement, alone or in combination with other bags.
 2. A product, bythe process of claim
 1. 3. The product of claim 2, a flexible couplerhose assembly further comprising an o-ring set acting as a spring-loadedlock.
 4. The product of claim 3, the flexible coupler hose assemblyfurther comprising a push-pin opening, a hinged valve when a couplingend is inserted therein.
 5. The product of claim 4, flexible couplerhose assembly further comprising a bayonet fitting matingly engageablewith a standard water hose threaded fitting.
 6. The product of claim 5,further comprising industrially reinforced seems.
 7. The product ofclaim 6, further comprising at least one of polypropylene and/orpolyethylene mesh.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the providing stepfurther comprises heat laminating a sheet to the PVC to form a bladderoutside the PVC skin effective for supporting at least about 70 ppi. 9.An improved damming bag for holding water configurable to create a bagsystem of stackable horizontal or vertical rows effective for building adam for holding water, which comprises in combination: a plurality ofpolypropylene or polyethylene mesh sheets laminated about a PVC coreforming a bladder; and adaptor/fill orifice system; a plurality ofindustrial reinforced seems; a coupler hose system complete witho-rings, push-pins, a bayonet fitting and standard water hose threadedfittings and reinforced closed housing assembly.
 10. The improveddamming bag of claim 9, whereby the coupler hose system allows for rapidfilling and draining of the system.
 11. A business method for supplyingthe product of claim
 7. 12. A business method for supplying the productof claim
 10. 13. A business method according to claim 7 for supplyingthe improved modular damming system in a kit.